Some moments are worth savoring. As I write this, I am outdoors with the sun gently warming my skin. A gentle breeze is caressing my face. The air is fragrant with the blossoms on my peach and plum trees. My sons are giving Thomas the Tank Engine a ride down the slide. My daughter and her friend are playing “Ice Cream Shoppe”. It is simply one of those perfect moments.
A couple of years ago we might have missed a moment like this. Like many others, we would probably have been watching TV, even though it was a gorgeous day outside.
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Before World War II the front porch was the gathering place for friends and neighbors. They would gather on the porch to sing, play games or just to talk. For the adults and children alike, it was the favorite place to be after supper. Back then they were friends with their neighbors; they didn’t have to worry if the next door neighbor was a murderer, rapist, child predator, or drug dealer.
After World War II technology took over our lives. We began to live in a fast paced world where we didn’t have time to sit on our porch or to socialize with our neighbors, thus the decline of the front porch. This allowed the criminal to move into our neighborhoods. We don’t even know the name of most of our neighbors, we don’t have time to stop and say hi let alone gather to talk, sing or play games.
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A couple of years ago, an ingenious neighbor of mine, decided to organize a block party. She wanted to create what neighbors felt in years past, a sense of belonging, socialization, and friendship. It was a brilliant idea and we have continued the tradition in our neighborhood and have held one at least once or twice a year. All neighbors are invited by placing a simple flyer at each door.
We set up tables and chairs. Everyone contributes something whether it is food, plates, utensils, or drinks. It’s a combined effort and every bit of it is worthwhile. Neighbors of all variety show up; young parents, old parents, empty nesters, grandparents. Adults stand around and talk. Kids run around and play. It truly is one of the simplest forms of entertainment you can provide.
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